Carnitine Carotene

The involvement of oxidative stress in AD has opened a new door for potential therapeutic targets. In this regard, several antioxidants are currently in clinical trials such as Idebenone, a-Lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), vitamin E, vitamin C, flavonoids, P-carotene, gingko biloba, and metal-chelating agents. Idebenone is a metabolic antioxidant and is normally synthesized as part of the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation system. Improvements in clinical status after treatment with idebenone have been shown in a dose-dependent manner compared to placebo and tacrine (Thai et al., 2003). 

The answer is a. (Murray, pp 505—626. Scriver, pp 4029-4240. Sack, pp 121-138. Wilson, pp 287-320.) In mammals, p-carotene is the precursor of retinal, which is the basic chromophore of all visual pigments. Isopen-tenyl pyrophosphate and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate are isoprenoid isomers formed from the repeated condensation of acetyl CoA units. By continued condensation in mammalian systems, cholesterol can be formed. In plant systems, carotenoids are formed. In addition to producing the color of tomatoes and carrots, carotenoids serve as the light-absorbing molecules of photosynthesis. Ketone bodies are derived from condensation of acetyl CoA units but not from isoprenoid units. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), carnitine, and thiamine (vitamin BO are not derived from isoprenoid units. 

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